John Travolta's son dies

Jan 3, 2009, 11:30 GMT

(FILE) A file picture dated 24 February 2008 showing US actor John Travolta (L) and wife US actress Kelly Preston (R) arrive for the 80th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA. According to media reports on 02 January 2009, the couple\'s 16-year-old son Jett died at the family\'s vacation home in the Bahamas when suffering a seizure while he was in the bathtub and fell, fatally hitting his head. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

John Travolta's 16-year-old son has died.

Teenager Jett was found lying in a bathtub at 11.40am on Friday morning (02.01.08) at his family's Bahamas holiday home where he was staying with his Hollywood actor father, his mother Kelly Preston and eight-year-old sister Ella Bleu.

Jett had a history of fits and it is believed he experienced a seizure and fell and hit his head.

He was found by a caretaker and immediately rushed to a hospital in Freeport - where the home is situated - on Grand Bahama Island but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A police spokesman said: "Information is that Jett suffered from seizures. He was last seen when he went to use the bathroom at their residence."

Travolta, 54, and his 46-year-old wife are being comforted by friends, including the actor's corporate and commercial attorney Michael McDermott, at their beachside residence.

McDermott said: "We are all here and trying to help in any way we can. Their pain is evident. Both are grieving."

Jett was diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease when he was just two. The illness causes inflammation of the blood vessels in young children and affects the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes.

It is believed Preston blamed household cleaners and fertilisers for his condition, and at one stage devout Scientologist Travolta put his son on a detox programme based on the teachings of the controversial religion - which was created by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.

An autopsy is now planned to determine the cause of Jett's death

Former Bahamas tourism minister and parliament member Obie Wilchcombe revealed the autopsy is scheduled to take place on Monday (05.01.09), saying: "We expect a quick resolution. John spoke with the minister of health and the doctors. They're very quick to resolve things. People in the old Bahama community are in shock."